Applicator for applying chemicals to tobacco plants



APPLICATOR FOR APPLYING CHEMICALS TO TOBACCO PLANTS Filed Nov. lO, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l 24 JNVENTOR.

190.55197' M/. wf/SION 75mm, MMM@ SW mm., 1 m, W WILSQN AFPLICATOR FOR APPLYING CHEMICALS TO TOBA-CCO PLANTS Filed NOV. l0, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

@GEERT W W/So/V Unite This invention relates to the culture of tobacco and moreparticularly to a means of applying a chemical to the tobacco stalk to prevent or arrest growth of lateral buds, Vgenerally lreferred to as ,suckersf at the leaf axils of the plants. in the copending application of Anderson and Wilson, Serial No. 175,662, filed July 24, 1950 (now abandoned), itis `disclosed that the growth offsuckersL on tobacco plants can be effectively arrested or prevented by the application of appropriate chemicalsto the suckers or to the leaf axils at `which they normallyappear. These points of incipientl lateral growth can be effectively coated or treated by applying the sucker-control chemical in liquid form to an upper portieri ofthe stalk so that the chemical will llow downwardly along the stalk and coat its surface. A convenient time to apply the chemical to the upper end of the stalk is immediately after it has been topped.

In accordance with the present invention, a device is now provided for encircling an upper portion of the stalk and applying the sucker-contro1 chemical to the surface so that it will' distribute itself over the entire stalk and coat the areas of lateral growth. One commercially important embodiment of the present invention comprises the lcombination of a stalk-'topping device and the liquid applicator so that the plant can be topped and the chemical applied in a single operation.

A more complete understanding of the present invention willbe had from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig.' lis a sideelevation of a mechanical applicator embodying the present invention, showing its operating position with respect to the topped tobacco stalk;

Fig 2 is a'longitudinal sectional View of the device illustrated in Fig. l;

"Fig 3 is a transverse sectional View of the device of Fig. 2, taken generally along the line 3 3;

' Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a modified applicator tip;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the combination topperapplicator' device;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the topper-applicator illustrated in Fig. 5; and

` Fig. '7 is a fragmentary section of Fig. 6, taken gener allymalong the line 7-'7.`

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section of Figure 6 taken generally along the`line '7-7 andillustrating a modication of the structure of the yoke. l

Referring now to the drawings and in particular at first to Figs. l and 2, a typical applicator device includes a pressurized"reservoir, not shown, containing the sucker-control liquid` and having a hose or other liexible conduit lil leading to the applicator assembly, shown generally at l2, and including valve i4, here shown equipped with levers i6 and 13` for manually operating spring-loaded valve member 20, Secured to the Voutlet of Vvalve 14 is an applicator tip 22 having a recessed portion 24 adapted to receive the stump of a topped tobacco stalk 26 and being at least partly surrounded by au internal chamber 28, formed within the body of applicator tip 22. and beingin communication with the reservoir by means of conduits 30`and 32 leading to and from valve 14. Communication between "the recess 24 and inner chamber 2S is by means of appropriate openings,

States Patent O 2,730,838 Eatented Jan. 17, 1955 such as shown at 34, 36 and 33 (see Figs. 2 and 3), formed in `wall 46 separating recess 24 and inner chamber 28.

The distribution of these openings 34, 36 and 38 is such that the suckercontrol chemical, illustrated at 42 in Fig. l, is applied uniformly to the top end of stalk 26 from Whenceit will run down the stalk and coat the sucker buds. Preferably, these openings 34, 3d and 38 should be located so that the sprays from them are directed to a common point, so that it will not be possible to have a run-away spray from the applicator. The amount of chemical applied to the stalk is controlled by the operator, 'who maintains valve Min open position by manipulation of the levers 16 and i8, for the necessary time to allowthe escape of the proper amount through the openings 34, 36 and 3S, or a metering type of valve might'be incorporated in the device, if desired, s o that the proper amount of chemical could be predetermined aindapplied automatically.

The innercnd wall of recess 24 may be conically shaped, as shown at 44,`to aid in centering the tobacco stalk in the recess7 which, in turn, aids in producing uniform distribution o f the chemical 42 around stalk 26. Also, it shouldbe noted that the applicator tip 22 is tapered externally adjacent the opening of recess 24 which keeps' the chemical close to the stalk and avoids the danger of it dropping off on to the leaves.

Fig. 4 represents a slightly modied applicator tip in which an intermediate portion of the recess 24 is of increased diameter, as shown at 46. This provides addi tional clearance between v'the end of stalk 216 and the inner walls" 4d, so that the flow of chemical through openingfs'l34, 36 and 438 is not retardedby `the ltobacco stalk, although the constricted form of the opening of recess 2j4`is`such that 'the chemical will drop offclose to the stalk. 'combination topper and chemical applicator embodyiigthepresent invention, as previously mentioned, is illustrated in Figs. '5, 6 and 7, in which the applicator tipA 48'is formed with a generally U-shaped, or yoke shaped, recess Sil at its extending end to receive an uptopped stalk, not shown. ln this embodiment, the appli cator" tip 48,`by virtue of the yoke shaped recess all with `wliichivt is formed, can be slipped around the stalk to enclo'seit within the arms of the yoke Sli as at 52 and Secured to applicator tip 48 is a stalk-shearing device, shown generally at 56, which is so arranged that the shearing movement of cutting parts 53 and 6d is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the yoke or recess S0. A convenient arrangement is shown in Fig. 5, wherein one blade 6l) is stationary with respect to applicator tip 45%, and the other blade 58 is arranged to be moved by a handle arm 64 generally transversely of the recess 5t) from theopen side to the closed side to hold the tobacco stalk in recess 50 and prevent its being dislodged during the shearing action.

`A valve 66 in line 62 leading to applicator tip 48 is so` disposed with respect to the moving handle arm 64 of shearsv 56, that during the final portion of the cutting of the stalk, valve 66 is opened and the chemical flows throughthe appropriate openings in the side wall of tip onto the peripheral` portion of the tobacco stalk. This" is conveniently accomplished, as illustrated in Figs. 5V and 6, by means of the spring-loaded valve 66 having button '7d adapted to be depressed by the moving handle 64 in such a way as to open valve 66, which may be a metering, type of valve, if desired, as mentioned above. The dotted lines in Fig. 5 indicate actuation in this manner of the valve 66 by the critter handle 64. The blades SSand 6l) serveto guide the tobaccoistalk into the applicater tip 43 and to hold it-there during thetopping.

If desired, the body of applicator tip 48 can be formed purpose if the operator rotates the device slightly while i? the chemical is flowing therethrough. In any event, the inner walls of the yoke extend downwardly below the port or ports a substantial distance so as to form a shield which will conne the chemical flowing through the ports to the walls of the stalk and will prevent any undesirable spraying of the chemical on the leaves and other portions of the plant.

The above-described applicators, and particularly the combination topper-applicator device, have made it possible to treat tobacco plants for suckers in a far shorter time than has heretofore been required for toppingand suckering tobacco plants. In a typical example, using the above-described topper-applicator, one man is able to cut ofi the tops of the tobacco plants and apply the chemical to an acre of tobacco in about three and onehalf to tive hours. The methods heretofore used for topping and suckering tobacco plants required from about twenty-tive to fifty man-hours per acre, so that the saving in labor as a result of the device of the present invention is quite substantial.

The scope of the present invention is indicated in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A device for applying a liquid sucker-control chemical to the stalk of a topped tobacco plant comprising a tubular receptacle having a closed end and a surrounding internal chamber formed within the wall of said receptacle, said internal chamber being in communication with said recessed portion by means of openings positioned at spaced intervals around the inner wall so as to direct a sucker-control chemical onto the tobacco stalk, conduit means leading from a pressurized source of said chemical to said internal chamber, and valve means interposed in said conduit for controlling the iiow of chemical therethrough, said tubular receptacle extending below said openings a substantial distance to form a shield which will coni-lne the chemical to the walls of the stalk.

2. A device for applying a sucker-control chemical to the stalk of a topped tobacco plant, comprising a cylindrical applicator tip having a recessed portion adapted to receive the end of the topped tobacco stalk, said recessed portion including a conical portion at its inner extremity adapted to eiect symmetrical disposition of a tobacco stalk within said recessed portion, said device having outlet ports positioned at spaced Vintervals and opening into said recessed portion, in communication with a pressurized .source of liquid sucker-control chemical, and means for controlling the ow of said chemical to said ports, said applicator tip extending below said ports a substantial distance to form a shield which willk confine the chemical to the walls of the stalk.

3. In a device for applying a liquid sucker-control chemical to the stump of a topped tobacco stalk including a pressurized chemical reservoir, a conduit means leading therefrom and a valve in said conduit means for controlling the i'low of chemical therethrough, an improved applicator tip for distributing said chemical on said tobacco stalk, comprising a hollow tubular body having a recessed portion formed in the wall thereof adapted to receive the upper end of the topped tobacco stalk, said recessed portion having a conical configuration at its inner end for centering the tobacco stalk therein and further having openings positioned at Aspaced intervals around the inner wall thereof for directing said chemical onto said tobacco stalk, said applicator tip extending below said openings a substantial distance to form a shield which will confine the chemical to the walls of the stalk.

4. A topper-applicator device for topping a tobacco stalk and simultaneously applying a liquid sucker-control chemical to the stump of said stalk, comprising a generally U-shaped member adapted to receive the stalk of a tobacco plant therein, outlet ports positioned at spaced intervals around the inner peripheral surface of said member and in communication with a source of chemical supply, a stalk cutter associated with said U-shaped member and adapted to retain the stalk therein during the cutting operation, means associated with said cutter controlling the tiow of chemical to said outlet ports whereby said chemical is released onto said stalk at the time said stalk is topped.

5. A combination topper-applicator for topping a tobacco plant and applying a sucker-control chemical thereto in a single operation, comprising a saddle-like applicator member adapted to receive a tobacco stalk, said applicator being provided with outlet ports positioned at spaced intervals around the inner peripheral surface disposed to direct the eiimluent therefrom onto the side of said stalk, conduit means leading to said outlet port from a source of chemical supply, a ow control valve in said conduit controlling theV ilow of chemical therethrough, a stalk cutter pivotally secured to said applicator and adapted to engage said stalk in a manner to prevent lateral displacement thereof from said applicator and to sever said stalk, said cutting means being associated with said flow control valve to open said valve when said stalk is severed and thereby cause said sucker-control chemical to be sprayed onto the upper portion of said stalk.

6. An applicator for applying a sucker-control chemical to the stalk of a topped tobacco plant comprising a shielded applicator tip, saidshield being positioned to coniine the said sucker-control chemical to the said stalk and said tip formed with a recess having an inner wall and adapted to receive and position the end of said stalk therein, and having outlet ports positioned at spaced intervals around the inner wall so as to direct said sucker-control chemical onto the said stalk, conduit means connecting said ports with a supply of suckercontrol chemical and means interposed in said conduit means controlling the flow of chemical therethrough to said ports.

7. An applicator for applying a sucker-control chemical to a stalk of a topped tobacco plant, comprising an applicator tip formed with a recess having kan inner wall and adapted to receive and position the end of said stalk therein, and having outlet ports positioned at spaced intervals around the inner wall so as to direct a suckercontrol chemical onto the tobacco plant, conduit means connecting said ports with a supply of sucker-control chemical, and means interposed in said conduit means controlling the flow of chemical therethrough to said ports whereby said sucker-control chemical can be released onto the stalk disposed within said applicator, said applicator extending below said ports a substantial distance to form a shield which will confine the chemical to the walls of the stalk.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 773,743 Von Hoffmann Nov. l, 1904 954,126 McAllister Apr. 5, 191() 1,056,046 Myers Mar. 18, 1913 1,135,346 Barnhart Apr. 13, 1915 1,262,865 Stocking Apr. 16, 1918 1,611,681 Schling Dec. 21, 1926 1,682,544 Young Aug. 28, 1928 1,865,914 .ladenV July 5, 1932 1,868,235 Jaden July 19, 1932 FOREIGN PATENTS 491,531 Germany Feb. l1, 1930 7,386 Great Britain of 1884 

